Transportation is always the talk on everybody’s tongues in Singapore. With our exorbitant car prices, you may find yourself turning instead towards the idea of riding a motorcycle around town. It’s a sleek, agile, and cost-effective solution that offers not only a more affordable means of getting around but also unparalleled freedom and flexibility. Hurrah to no longer being held prisoner by fixed public transportation timings!

Now, before you start that engine and ride off into motorcycle ownership bliss, there are other things to consider, such as… buying one first. New motorcycles can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, and there’s also that (not so) little thing called COE (Certificate of Entitlement) to consider in your budgeting, which itself is a good close to $10k on its own!

For a wallet-friendly alternative, you might think about buying a used motorcycle instead of a new one. Well, here’s where we come in to point out 7 mistakes you want to avoid when purchasing a second-hand bike. Read on and you’ll thank us later!

Mistake #1: Not buying the right engine size to match

In Singapore, a Class 2B licence allows you to ride a motorcycle of up to 200cc on public roads, whereas you’ll need a Class 2A licence for bikes of up to 400cc. If you already have a Class 2 licence, then you can choose whatever kind of motorcycle you fancy.

First of all, you should be looking only at motorbikes that fit your particular licence type. Secondly, you should choose a motorcycle that matches your experience and riding level. If you’re a new rider, it’s ideal to start off with a smaller engine size so you can get used to your bike’s handling before upgrading to a more powerful motorcycle.

Mistake #2: Not checking the number of years of COE left on the bike

Don’t just get excited over a low price and a shiny photo. How much a motorcycle’s value is “worth” largely depends on how many years of COE are left on that motorcycle. If the COE is close to expiring and you can’t afford to renew it (does anyone really have $10k just lying around, really?), then look for another bike with more “rideable” years on it. Of course, the more years of COE left on a motorbike, the more expensive it’s going to be.

Mistake #3: Trusting all listings

People are going to market second-hand motorcycles in the most attractive ways, and this can affect the prices you see when combing through listings.

Some ads will offer an extremely low “ride away” price, but they might belong to dealerships that have folded the actual selling price into the loan they want you to take up with them.

Ads marked “COI” (Certificate of Indebtedness) point to sellers who still owe money on a loan and want to transfer the remainder of the loan over to you to pay for it.

Dealership loans can come with high interest rates that may go beyond what you actually wanted to pay for a used bike, so be careful.

The most important thing to do is to do your due diligence and research carefully. Remember also that prices of second-hand motorbikes in Singapore can be negotiable. Work with the sellers who are happy to offer you what you want at a price that suits your budget range.

Mistake #4: Immediately turning on the engine

You’re looking at this beautiful second-hand motorcycle right in front of you now. You can’t wait to throttle it and listen to that wondrous roaring sound of the bike’s engine. Well, hold your horses, because it’s best to inspect a motorcycle first when it has a cold engine.

Request to the seller beforehand to let you cold-start the motorcycle when you’re there. One reason for this is to allow you to check certain areas of the motorcycle first before starting it up.

This is especially important for inspecting the exhaust. (Never touch a hot exhaust!) Using your hands and some force, check that the exhaust is solidly mounted. Look all around the exhaust for any hidden areas of corrosion or unwanted dents that could potentially cause performance issues.

While the engine is cold, take advantage of this time to remove the radiator cap and check if there is any oil in the cooling system. Oil floats on top of water; if you see that, it could mean engine problems.

Another reason to cold-start the bike is because starting the engine is generally smoother and requires less effort when the engine is already warm. However, what you want to test is exactly how it starts up from a cold engine.

While the motorcycle is warming up, take note of these things:

• Is it difficult to start? The battery might need replacing.
• Is the engine running smoothly or is it chugging? There might be potential issues with fuel, air intake, or the spark plug.
• Look behind, is the motorcycle smoking? A normal road bike should not be smoking. This could point to problems like burning oil or leaking coolant. Those are big problems that require major repairs.
• Do you hear any knocking or rattling sounds from the motorcycle engine? It should sound smooth and consistent. Any strange noises coming from the engine could mean issues such as loose components, worn bearings, or valve train problems.

Which brings us to…

Mistake #5: Not following this inspection checklist

It’s easy to get excited about buying a bike you really like; you might give it a once-over and think, “Okay, well, it looks quite good, I’ll take it.” When it comes to investing your hard-earned money into a second-hand motorcycle, take the time to make sure you’re getting a good return on your investment.

This is a great list of 15 areas to inspect when checking out a used motorbike:

	Area to Inspect	What to Look Out For
☑	Frame	Cracks, bends, dents, signs of welding
☑	Odometer	Mileage is consistent with bike’s age
☑	Engine	Listen for smooth operation, no leaks or smoke
☑	Oil	What you don’t want to have: Metal flakes (engine is falling apart) Milky/foamy (water contamination) Burnt smell (overheating) Dirty oil (poor maintenance) Low level oil due to leaks
☑	Fuel tank, fuel lines	No rust inside the tank, fuel lines not cracked or leaking
☑	Coolant	If it’s brown, it could be rust or oil in the engine
☑	Exhaust	No smoke, damages, holes or rust
☑	Tyres	Good tread depth, no cracks or uneven wear
☑	Brakes	Brake pads not worn out, brake parts not warped No noise upon braking and no drag upon release
☑	Clutch	Consistent engagement point, no unusual noises
☑	Suspension	Compress and release smoothly without noise
☑	Chain	Chain should wrap snugly around the sprocket, not loose Tip! At the three o'clock position, gently pull the drive chain away from the rear sprocket; it should remain halfway engaged with the sprocket teeth.
☑	Sprockets	All in good condition, not hooked or chipped
☑	Electrical system	Check lights, indicators, horn, battery condition
☑	Controls and cables	Check throttle, clutch, brake levers, no fraying cables

 

Pro tip!

One easy way to check if a used motorcycle has been in an accident is to inspect the steering stops on the front of the frame. This is what keeps the steering in place, so it can’t go too far to the left or right. If the metal there is bent or damaged, it could potentially mean that the motorcycle might have been in a crash before.

You can also bring along a friend who is a more experienced motorcyclist to help you do this inspection.

Mistake #6: Not being thorough in the details

So, the motorcycle looks good, no damage, inspection cleared, the test ride even went well. Now, let’s talk business. This is when you should really get down into the nitty gritty about all the things you need to know before purchasing this second-hand motorcycle.

Here are 4 things you should absolutely ask about:

1. Service History

The seller should have a record of all prior work done to the motorcycle. If they have always done their servicing with a particular mechanic or workshop since the beginning, and they know the bike inside and out, you can even consider going back to the same workshop.

Note that certain sellers who themselves are motorcycle mechanics may DIY their repairs instead of taking it to approved workshops. It doesn’t make the motorcycle any less good; but they should still be able to provide repair receipts.
 

2. Registration / VIN

Before finalising your purchase, meticulously compare the motorcycle's VIN number and licence plate number with those listed on the title document to ensure they match. You can typically find the VIN number on the frame's steering head. Ensure all numbers are clear and haven’t been tampered with.
 

3. Fully Paid For

Ask for proof that the seller has fully paid off the COE for the motorcycle. If they purchased the motorcycle on a Hire Purchase scheme, make sure that all instalments have been paid off. Otherwise, LTA (Land Transport Authority) will disallow the transfer of ownership.
 

4. Check all LTA-related details

You’ll want to know where this motorcycle stands when it comes to the LTA. Ask about remaining road tax, any late payment of fines, and the last inspection date of the motorcycle.

If the motorcycle you’re purchasing has any modifications done to it whatsoever, make sure that they are LTA-approved modifications.

Note that some LTA-allowed modifications require pre-approval, while some are perfectly alright without any written approval from LTA.

For peace of mind, ask to take the motorcycle to a LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre for an assessment.

Mistake #7: Not purchasing motorcycle insurance

You’re very sure that this is the motorcycle you want. Now it’s time to arrange an appointment with the seller to head down to LTA for the official transfer of ownership process.

But wait! There’s one thing you’ll need to do prior to transferring ownership at LTA. You need to make sure you have at least a Third Party insurance policy for the motorcycle that you are planning to buy.

Take the time to consider which type of motorcycle insurance coverage is most suited to your needs. Consider also optional add-ons, such as “New for Old” where your motorcycle will be replaced with the same/similar make and model if it is stolen.

Research Thoroughly

Buying a second-hand motorcycle in Singapore is not difficult, but it will take up some of your time doing your due diligence in comparing offers, and checking the road-worthiness of the motorcycle you plan to purchase.

Finally, don’t forget to gear up with the right protective motorcycle gear, especially a motorcycle helmet that comes with a PSB approved sticker.

Good luck, and ride safe!

Article Credits: DirectAsia